Indians on Quora mostly use English for writing in their life

It was the year 2000, one of my cousin told me that her teacher has given a surprise test to write about the Hindi Alphabets to her class. Most of the students failed to write all the alphabets correctly. Only a few were able to do it. I was surprised that how her classmates forgot Hindi Alphabets. Now, after 15 years, I am not sure whether I would be able to write about the Hindi Alphabets.

Paradox

I have not written in Hindi for years. Hindi is my preferred language for reading and speaking. But, for writing, I have no other option except English.

When I am at work then I would be naturally speaking in English but for writing, do I have any other option? No! That's why we have become good at writing in English.

Importance of "English" from the corridor of my memory

Aww... he speaks in English

My childhood spent at a sleepy town in eastern India. I used to look with awe at others speaking fluently in English. People feel that you are smarter if you are good at English. Now as more and more people are speaking English, this is not that big an issue as it used to be 15-20 years ago.

You better talk to your daughter in English

One of my colleague was really upset few days ago as he was not happy over the fact that the play school of his 3 years old daughter has complained that she speaks in Marathi in School. He has been advised to talk to her in English at home.

Flashback moment

He rightly says that let school teach her English and we will teach her Marathi at home else who will teach her mother tongue. On hearing his words, I went in flashback and remembered the instances when Mom wanted my sister to get admitted into Convent school. Mom was so sad that my sister couldn’t clear the test for getting into convent school. She was just 5 years then.

History Repeats... English was a craze...English is a craze

Two years ago, my parents visited Mumbai to attend a wedding and there I met my sister in law who was sad that her 7 year old daughter couldn’t make it to a convent school.

My Take on Things

Life is a marathon. My sister is superb at Programming, loves what she study, her passion makes me learn from her. I don’t think she even remember that she failed to get into a convent school. Her English is good but definitely not like those who are from convent.

My First day at college was a torture- We have to give an extempore on stage in front of the class. I was feeling feverish. My friend told, "I would educate my kids at Convent school or DPS (Delhi Public School)" so that they don't have stage fear. He was feeling an identity crisis to see amazing English speaker who were from DPS or Convent. [That friend is now in London, I am going to message him to know whether he remember this DPS Episode or not.]

I admire Convent educated Girls - All my life, I admired the impeccable communication skills of Convent Educated Girls. I was no where with respect to them. Now, my stage fear is out of the window. I am even at ease talking to CEOs or Directors of various companies but if my Dad tell that family of a convent educated girl has approached for marriage purpose then I feel like sweating. All my confidence goes for a six and I feel inferior to them. The only reason is that old habits lasts longer. As, I have admitted it, so I am sure to overcome this inferiority complex :)

Why Indian are able to learn English and many others are finding it difficult to cope up with English as a Second Language.

Chinese have to learn Chinese language which is a very complicated language. They also learn Japanese to get jobs in Japan. Hence, learning English is really difficult as they also use Chinese and Japanese. But for us, English is the offical language in the MNCs, private sector, etc.

Benefits

Social Status

We are a nation obsessed with English. This obsession has helped us to excel at the International stage.

Gateway to a higher living standard

Better Job Opportunities- BPO/IT/Healthcare/Retail/Tourism. Outsourcing was a boon for the middle and lower middle class in India and we have to admit that we have better options that our parents.

The World is Flat

We are able to keep pace with the world because we have an advantage over those from China, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, etc because of our better grip over English. In fact, India has the largest English Speaking population in the world.